I am a Witch, not a Wiccan.

Before we start, can I just say that I am not anti ‘Wiccans’. So prior to people getting their knickers in a twist (ouch!) please read the whole page before commenting. Thanks!

When I tell people I am a Witch, about 95% of the replies I receive say “So you’re Wiccan?”….No. I am a Witch, because I use magic, therefore I practise Witchcraft. This means, I do whatever I need to, when I need to. Witchcraft dates back thousands of years to it’s roots in folk magic/village wise women, where as Wicca was created in the 1950’s. A witch does not follow a doctrine or rulebook, where as Wiccans have the Wiccan Rede ‘an ye harm none, do what ye will’. Witches believe that you do what is necessary and take responsibility for our actions. This can including hexing, cursing and even in extreme cases….death spells.

Wiccans follow deities or a divine source, Traditional Witches do not. Wicca is a faith or a belief system, Witchcraft is a way of life. You can be both of course, you can believe in Wicca and practise Witchcraft so you are a Wiccan Witch, but Traditional Witches have no ‘faith’. We just are. We do not worship Goddesses or in fact, worship anything. We work with energies, spirits and our ancestors. We don’t cast circles, where as most Wiccan’s do. WeI don’t plan spells or anything like that, if something needs doing it just gets done. We don’t care about the day of the week or the moon phase. We have no ‘magical correspondences’ either.

We don’t do any chanting/wailing/ throwing my arms up in the air and dancing naked. We don’t say Blessed Be or Merry Meet or any of that. We do however generally swear a lot and eat an absurd amount of cake! We don’t use altars or altar tools, we don’t celebrate the ‘Sabbats’ in the same way (we see them more as a chance to have a bit of a party and say thanks for what we have, rather than a time for ritual and mass coven meetings) as we seem them based on the old Celtic farming calendar. Lots of traditional witches do not cleanse or protect themselves either, where as a Wiccan would spend a lot of time on this.

We do not have covens either, we DO work in a group if we choose too but there is no hierarchy like a coven and it is not formal, generally it is just a group of friends getting together if extra ‘oomph’ is needed for a spell. I don’t need to wear ‘witchy’ clothes or act ‘witchy’ to get something done. I am a Witch, it’s there all the time. I don’t have a magical name, I am just Bexz, because that is who I am. Being a Witch is something that is in me, I know no different, it’s just me. Although I do study my path and have done since I was born (I was born into a witch family), I feel that traditions are not only upheld but also created as generations go on.

The great thing about Wicca which I think all Traditional Witches should be happy about (and if they are not, they are just being stubborn), it allowed us to be more open about practising Witchcraft and that can only be a good thing. For many years we were (and in some places, like where I live, still…) persecuted for our craft.

I am a witch. I am not a wiccan… And I am very proud of that fact.

70 thoughts on “I am a Witch, not a Wiccan.”

Pingback: Tweets that mention I am a Witch, not a Wiccan. -- Topsy.com

Niksays:

I agree. I don’t identify myself as a Wiccan either. I am a sea witch… I do honor the brightest Star (Goddess).. but I see she and I as divine spiritual beings occupying two different spiritual planes.. obviously she has more spiritual knowledge and energy than me, so I like to tap into that knowledge and energy and absorb it into myself… if that makes any sense at all.

It’s interesting that you post this because I have been struggling with my pagan identity. I have been a practicing Wiccan since I was 13, but over the last year I have been asking my self if the Wiccan religion is really the right path for me. I’m more of a witch then a Wiccan these days because I have been so put off by the dogmatic laws of Wicca. I don’t really adhere to any coven laws and I have also begun to question the necessity of a circle to practice witchcraft. I don’t feel threatened when I practice and certainly don’t believe that any negative spirit or energy can influence my will.

Very well put. I personally have come to describe myself as a Wiccan influenced Witch when people ask if I’m Wiccan. Those that need more info from there get the nutshell version of my 25 years as a Witch all boiling down to yes, I’ve practiced and trained as a Wiccan, I enjoy many aspects of Wicca, however certain parts don’t work for me in the day to day aspect of things. I have some issues with the Rede, I don’t feel I need to make a big spectacle of every moon phase or other astronomical event that happens, and I don’t cast circles for everything I do. I also tend to be of the mind that with all the books on eclectic Wicca, neo-Paganism, and modern spellcraft that there are a great deal of misconceptions being created and perpetuated about Witches and the Craft.

Being Wiccan doesn’t make you a Witch, living the life of a Witch and practicing the art of magick does. It always amazes me when I meet Wiccans that call themselves Witches but they don’t practice magick because they have read books that make them afraid to even try.

Being a Witch comes down to who you are at the core, what you do, and how you live your life.

i love this 🙂 i’m witch too i wear short skirts love to laugh and am definitely Witch i practice the craft get told i’m wiccan most of the time it doesn’t bother me because i think it helps people deal with it better but i’m witch by name and witch by nature all my family and friends except it so that’s all that matters. i’m proud to be witch 🙂

I came here for the Practical Magic Party, and I know this is an old post, but can I say, you are awesome! I am from a family of witches, and we aren’t Wiccans. I just tell people I’m “old school”. I’m so thankful for the Wiccans, so I can be out, unlike my ancestors who had to keep their craft on the down low!

Thank you very much, Astrid. Your simple, easy to understand post is perfect. I am 45 years old and just figuring out I’m a witch, I think. I’ve just started to seriously read about Witches and Wicca. You have given me some clarity. ~Lori

The important thing is for Pagans of all ‘denominations’ to stand together and not to become overly concerned by names and systems.
Every Witch has their own magical ‘DNA’,and there could never be one definitive path suited to all.

WOW you said exactly what I have been feeling just didn’t have the words to go with it. I have never felt comfortable trying to rituals with the chanting and circle casting. It’s nice to know that others out there feel the same as I do. ThANK YOU for a wonderful post.

I agree, I am a shamanic witch. I get asked all the time if I am wiccan and it irritates me because then people feel I have to explain myself for not fitting into the “accepted pagan path” lol… Everything I have ever practiced was passed down through generations of women in my family. I do know several wiccans and they don’t seem to understand the difference either.. but the solitary witches I know understand completely. I have never been in a circle, or a coven. I don’t chant, and I don’t do ritual.

To add to the many voices here already, I whole-heartedly agree with what you’ve posted, Astrid. There are several aspects of Wicca that don’t work for me (mostly the ones you’ve already pointed out), but I will say that I practice Witchcraft as both a way of life, and a spiritual following.

Like you, it is important to me to be ‘out’ about my faith and practices. But when I’m sitting at the doctor’s office, or hospital, and they ask me what my religion is, I actually find myself saing Wicca more often than not. I say this because it is becoming well understood (here in the US, at least) that Wicca is, in fact, a faith. Witchcraft is not at all seen that way, and to say ‘Witchcraft’ when asked my religion would really confuse most of the non-pagan folk out there (and really, I just want to get on with my day, not sit and have to explain myself to the confused data-entrant taking my info!).

I’ve wondered if any other Witches out there have ever found themselves in a similar situation. I’m glad Wicca is becoming more and more accepted as a spiritual practice, and I do hope that Witchcraft follows.

when people find out that i am a witch i have never been asked if i am wiccan, but as for form filling i just put Pagan as this is acceptable to most. I too had troubles with the whole Goddess/God thing but got over it and practice magic quite happily my own way, its great to find others doing the same

I stumbled across this site by chance and so very glad i did.
Being brought up since childhood in the Craft has given me insight and knowledge that for many years had me very confused and dare i say was made to feel ashamed by outsiders for the beliefs i hold. As a result, i never mentioned my family background. Then some years ago, the UK law changed and i took a chance to speak openly about what was important to me and what i believed in. Many of my friends dropped me, saying i had lost the plot and a male can not be a Witch. Some who were a more worldly, claimed i had become Wiccan.
Since then, i have checked up much of what has been written on Wicca, and compared it to what i learned growing up with the Craft.
As others have mentioned here, many who have grown up with it, do not belong to covens, dress as Gandolf or have much displaying their beliefs. In fact i only have a small Pentacle which for the most part is hidden by clothes. The one thing that should be mentioned though is how attitudes have changed over the past 20 years. In many ways,Wicca has helped in bringing about a change and acceptance to alternative beliefs, and for that, i’m very grateful. Whatever system is yours, if you believe in it and it harms no one, and that includes yourself, then follow it and be happy.

It was a joy to read……I get asked what do you do…when I answer what ever is needed on the day…I just get…oh ..so are you a healer or what..what do you do.
My memories as a toddler where based on the craft..I know what I am and it is be me whatever that is on the day. No religion or dogma…just flow.

Hi Astrid…..I found your post so enlightening! It’s made me realise, that i can be myself & not have to feel i have to be “Wiccan”. I’ve recently been through an experience, where i thought it was necessary to join a coven, but after reading your story, i realise that what i have, i must go with & know in my heart, that i don’t have to prove myself to anyone! I’ve been doing ok on my own for quite a while & now i’ve got a renewed sense of purpose.
I’d love to hear from any of you, who can give me more moral support too!!!!!

I have been very slow at getting round to reading your blog Astrid (typical me 😉 ), now that I have read it all I can say is ‘Thank you’ for writing it.
It has made me feel free of the chains that go along with casting circles and chants, I have never thought that a spell needed all of these things and as my garden is overlooked I dread to think about going naked, I think anyone overlooking would either roll on the floor laughing or they might even up roots and move 🙂 I can’t say I am a pretty sight to behold.
Thank you for your blog it has brightened my day.
Blessings to you. x

Just spotted this and added a link to my blog hope you do not mind! It is so hard getting across the difference, Radio Kent the other night had a quiz and it was what is Wicca, they basically said its if you are a witch or do witchcraft NOOOOOOO!!!!! xx

Hi found your site by chance it is great to read this because i haven’t been feeling comfortable to do a circle as i couldn’t visualize the blue light and kept thinking i was useless and it kept putting me off doing the spells butnow i know that i dont need to do it and the nakedness put me off to. Many thanks for your site it has given me a lot of encouragement. what a great idea thankyou Astrid.

I’m a recently come out of the closet solitary witch and Iam not sure if I’m a regular witch or Wiccan witch?
I do do spells, I also work with crystals and also am a holistic therapist in my day work!
I have a BOS and an altar. I meditate and help friends to see things clearly. I feel a little lost as to wherein fit in.

Thankyou for describing the difference between wicca and witchcraft so clearly – I know now that I can be defined as a witch. What I feel is a very deep connection to something old; something ancient, natural and – to me – perfectly logical. A connection to the earth and everything that grows – also to all animal life. Everything is divine in it’s own special way, and everything is spiritual. I try to look for the beauty in everything.
I love your website -I’m learning all the time, and your site is so informative and everything is so clear. You definitely have a gift for words and would make a wonderful teacher!
I wish you a rainbow of blessings, love and light.

Oh, happy day! I’ve been trying to find “people” that are closer to my ideology of witches. My thought is that crafting is a natural ability in all of us: tapping into our divinity in whatever way is natural for the individual to create magic without all the costumes and dancing. (That’s great if it feels right for you, but it’s just not me.) Witchcraft is normal.

The real problem arises when trying to learn. Learning from books is great and experimenting on your own is good, too, but sometimes I just would like to talk to another person who shares my interest and, um, perceptions of how to go about crafting. A mentor would be great, but I can’t seem to find one. (It seems all the local witches are of the costume, dancing, drawing down the moon type.)

Anyway, if I’m ever in England, I’m definitely stopping by your shop.

You can thank EveryMagicalDay (Storybook and Pyper) for turning me on to your site. (Talk about prayers being answered….first I found their site, then yours in less than 24 hours.)

Hi ya =), crystal here and yes its my real name and not a witch (as i get asked da alot) I am so glad you put this up cause I was starting to feel like, i was getting this whole thing wrong. i couldnt get my head round why things from both witch and wiccan felt rite for me and now i understand, its cause im a pagan wiccan witch =)
ta babes and ya ireland not to good for the naked dancing too lmao xxxx

So glad I came across this, I am new to crafting but don’t feel comfortable with the whole circle casting and rede thing, I am the type of person to do what needs to be done, now I feel more affinity with being a witch rather than a wiccan.

This is just absolutely wonderful. I feel as though you are speaking for me here! I respect Wiccans and their beliefs and can totally relate to their religion and the aspects of their faith but I personally identify as just a Witch. I practice Witchcraft. I am a Witch. It is not my faith or my practice of religion, it is just what I do. Reading this helped me realize exactly how I identify so I must thank you for putting this out there for people like me to relate to and help simplify who/what I am into words! 🙂
Blessings and best wishes to you, I am so glad I’ve discovered this website!

Thank you for your article. It has helped me clarify for myself where on the spectrum of Wicca/The Craft I might be at the moment and where I might go in the future. Because of a ‘seeing’ I had some years ago, I do identify with a Goddess and feel that She has power in my life but She is also more simply the Earth beneath my feet and deserving of universal respect and care for our environment. Living as I do, close to the sea, its tides and moon phases are in my blood and I rarely have to look up a High Water or Full Moon date or time. I don’t worry too much about what other people need to label me. It is people of other faiths who seem to feel the need to tie us all down to an exact set of rules, rituals etc. and they find it hard to understand that what I do, think and believe can’t be put in boxes like that.. On forms, I usually put Pagan or ‘Other’ or just leave it blank if I can.. No-one else’s business anyway.

Thank You for sharing this. I’m fairly new to this, but have to say, the” theatrical” side of the Pagan Community seems un-natural for me to follow. However, the path You follow, makes me think that I’ve just arrived home. Blessed Be.

Hi Sal, I just came across your website. I really like what you wrote here and I look forward to exploring your website further. I’m in Australia and always had an interest in witchcraft. I’m returning to those roots that sprouted many years ago, feels like coming home now : )

I have found your comment fab. I was initiated first degree and work solo and do what I need to and harm none. It is a way of life and I choose a magical path. It is strongly nature based, respecting the seasons and no set rules. I chose to have a book of shadows foe notes and spells and have a alter and looks of books. Lol. Xxxx

I’ve just come across your site/shop/blog and wanted to say thank you for this post. For years I’ve been trying to get across that I’m a Witch not a Wiccan and nowhere else have I found anyone else making the distinction. It’s so nice to find others who are the same and to be reassured that I wasn’t just being nitpicky!

I think I’ve found my long lost sister! You have no idea how much it means to me to know I have a kindred spirit! I come from a very long line of witches, none of whom ever practiced Wicca, and although I respect those who do, it just does not define me. I’ve attempted to articulate the difference, but generally, it is misunderstood. It is just wonderful to know that there is someone who shares my sense of being!

Awesome to read..finally a few little unanswered questions of my own were answered with your post, for that I thankyou…i myself am also a witch, I do not follow the wicca religion and the whole idea about deities and such just does’nt sit well within me, but I do find myself attuned to the elements, mayby that is just my way… right now though I am still trying to find my way though all the fluffy stuff out there on the net and in bookstores, but your post really helped me to get a simple grip on my path…..thankyou.

Awesome to read..finally a few little unanswered questions of my own were answered with your post, for that I thankyou…i myself am also a witch, I do not follow the wicca religion and the whole idea about deities and such just does’nt sit well within me, but I do find myself attuned to the elements, mayby that is just my way… right now though I am still trying to find my way though all the fluffy stuff out there on the net and in bookstores, but your post really helped me to get a simple grip on my path…..thankyou.

I have to say I loved ready thru your section there, I myself am a wiccan witch an was just recently trying to explain to members on my page the differences between being a pagan/witch/wiccan/ wiccan witch….. its really hard for some to grasp lol, I ended by saying to them that ‘all wiccans are pagan but not all pagans are wiccan, witches can be wiccan or pagan, an some might not be either!’, I’m hoping they get that now, iv bookmarked your site as iv found all the info so useful an will definitly be buying some of your items, thank you 🙂 xx.

Hi i’m ray, i like what you said about how your not a wiccan your a
witch, thats the orginal way, i like that, i’ve been reading a coven book for three and a half years now, i always wanted to become a witch since i was little,
and the way you explained everything about you being a witch, i respect the honesty about
Wiccan and being a Witch, thats why i ask, can you teach me
I would love to have you as my teacher

I have found your comments very helpfull.After coming out of a very dogmatic religious belief system the last thing I want is another one to follow.I’ve found myself getting bogged down with my wiccan journey.I’m sure its right for many but I’m becoming drawn to the practice of witchcraft solely.

?? so happy I found this page u sound like ur talking about me Iv dabbled in different practises but none of them seemed right for me it’s always just been there I am a witch I to don’t need to cast circles or partake in rituals I just have a profound connection to the earth and the animals who dwell here it’s so refreshing to see someone the same ✌️?

I’m like you. Since I was a child I always been in tune with the natural world. I summoned my first familiar at 14 – no ritual just the will and the knowledge that I could. Within the week, a kitten came to my house directly to me from several houses down the street and never left once she saw me. Through the years, I’ve done the same when I was ready to accept a new friend(familiar).

I’ve done some healing, a little weather magic and so on. I do what I feel is needed, when I need to … just like you do. But, I just can’t get into the Wiccan philosophical religious thought it just not how I’m. May God(which ever one it is) bless you and yours. 🙂

I`m a witch and not a wiccan, i dont like their rules,prefer to work by myself.as for this working naked lark, I think if you can`t work magick with clothes on you can`t much of a magickal ability. I to follow my own path

I completely agree, and I find it difficult purchasing books that are topical only to Witchcraft. Usually (due to purchasing online) they describe themselves as witchcraft/topical/historical etc and all refer to Wiccan belief. Only the other day I bought a new booked entitled witchcraft and in fact the first page was A dedication to the Wiccan rede. I was not impressed. I love to research and Occultism and Witchcraft history is so amazing, yet I seem to stumble across Wiccan books everywhere?!

Can anyone recommend any Witchcraft books that have absolutely no reference to Wicca?! (p.s I do not hate wiccans lol!)

Thank you for your perfectly lovely way of explaining that not all who are witches are wiccan. I have known my nature as a witch all of my life, however, when I encountered Wiccan it was like, hey you are making a religion of this? And that turned me off… I’ve been dismissed by Wiccans because my practive and understanding are not theirs. This, to me, is no different than being dismissed by Christianity or other established religions. We all have our own gifts all day our own paths. It’s refreshing to encounter tolerance. Thank you.

Good article.Good explaination.41 years I have practiced and pulled from within and the world around me.Wicca has a place for many in this new world,so all is fine.But I don’t need the ladder of organization within Wiccan practices.
My connection is my own as many Solitary Witches practice.
Blessed be to all.

I too am a witch I am over 60 been a witch all my adult life I see a lot of Wiccans who are good witches but of course some are not so niceI just hate how some of them go on blogs just to say Wicca is the true witches craft and yadayadayada when they don’t even know who Gerald B Gardner is That being said most of my friends (many wiccans ) are wonderful witches and I too do not go around naked Canada is very cold even in april as I look outside it is snowing here so brrrr no outdoor ritual here either

Thank you for this! Being a fairly new witch, I’ve been feeling some rather intense conflict about identities and titles, and even practices surrounding the lifestyle — but this has offered some invaluable insight on the matter. I feel as though for me, my power comes from within and the world around me, and I don’t personally feel the need for strict rules or a Faith in anything outside of my own intentions. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not ‘required’ to identify as Wiccan to be who I am xx

THANK YOU for this post. I was apart of a small group of witches in school (1999-2004) who were a mixture of Wiccans and Pagans, but when I tried to explain that I didn’t feel like being either Wiccan or Pagan, (just myself and following alchemy witchcraft connecting spells through herbs and species that work well together, using gemstones, fruits, vegetables, flowers and seeds etc) – I was belittled and looked down upon the eldest girl, who was pretty much the leader we had in our small group, I know look back and realise I was almost bullied by her at the time. I look back now and realise this was jealousy for a couple of reasons, one because I was/am a very kind, caring and helpful person, very well liked and probably because I had access to books that were outside of Wicca and Paganism; I found them in the local library, it wasn’t like they were hard to get.

I had dreams that came true and just ‘knew things’ that were happening – but I think that’s because I’m socially intelligent and pick up on body language, facial expressions and tone of voices etc through my subconscious – which allowed me to ‘predict’ what was going to happen next, what a person might do or say next, who said what about me or someone behind my back – I had a lot of dejavu too – but a lot of my drama at school was caused by one girl, different girl and I believe that patterns started emerging from her behaviour and attitude towards me, so it became second nature. Although before her becoming a bat shit crazy sabotager, I did have a lot of visions/dreams about my peers.

We have teamed up with the Centre Of Excellence and can now offer all of their courses at the VERY discounted price of £49 when you click the banner above and use the code SMILE at the checkout! Courses include Wicca Diploma, Advanced Wicca Diploma, lots of Accredited Complimentary and holistic Therapies Diplomas and so much more!

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook By Weblizar Powered By Weblizar

Like Our Facebook Page

Join Our New Facebook Group

We have teamed up with the Centre Of Excellence and can now offer all of their courses at the VERY discounted price of £49 when you click the banner above and use the code SMILE at the checkout! Courses include Wicca Diploma, Advanced Wicca Diploma, lots of Accredited Complimentary and Holistic Therapies Diplomas and so much more!

SHIPPING & DELIVERY INFORMATION

Most orders are sent out within 7 working days as we make our products by hand, to order. They are then blessed and sent out as soon as possible

We do not send proof of postage unless requested and proof of postage is only kept on record for 2 weeks (3 weeks for International orders) after order has been placed. Items are sent using standard Royal Mail / Parcelforce. We do not use tracking or insurance unless requested by the customer at extra cost. This keeps your postage costs at a minimum.

UK orders should take 2 or less working days to arrive to you AFTER being shipped from us.

International orders can take up to 14 working days to be received by the customer AFTER the item has been shipped.

We are not responsible if your order gets lost or damaged in the post as we can send you a proof of postage and all of our orders are packaged carefully. For international orders, we are also not responsible if your order is seized by your own countries Customs & Excise. For more information on our delivery info please read our Terms & Conditions.

Disclaimer: Due to the Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 and the Consumer Protection Regulations, we make no claims as to the efficacy of any of our products or services and that they are for entertainment purposes only. When using our products or services you (the customer/client) agree to using them at your own risk.

No part of this website either text, photos or graphics may be reproduced or linked elsewhere without prior written permission from The Village Witch Shop. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a hex.

Login

Register

Email address *

Password *

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.